Apparatus for filling cosmetic articles



G. G. NlcLAs 3,313,085

APPARATUS FOR FILLING COSMETIC ARTICLES April 1l, 1967 Filed June 3, 1963 United States Patent Otlice 3313,@85 Patented Apr. il, 1967 3,313,085 APPTUS FOR FILLING CQSMETC AR'HCLES Giulio Giuseppe Niclas, Milan, Italy, assigner to Ejectoret SA., Geneva, Switzerland Filed June 3, 1963, Ser. No. 284,894 Claims priority, application Italy, .inne 12, 1962, 24,354/62 Claims. (Cl. 513-127) The present invention broadly relates to an improved apparatus for the production of cosmetic articles and, more specifically, to an apparatus for the dosing and filling of molds with moten or iiuent masses for the production lof. cosmetic products or articles, particularly lipsticks, as well as to an apparatus for the sealing of the filled cosmetic article.

It is known to the art to employ with slightly fusible or meltable products, for intance lipsticks, the casings or capsules, serving to protect and store such fusible product, as the mold. The filling of such molds requires particular measures, especially if production should proceed hygienically and economically, making individual treatment of the cosmetic article superfluous and permitting pouring a predetermined quantity yof the molten mass.

One of the prime objects of the present invention is to provide yan apparatus which fulfills these and other requirements and permits `a faultless and satisfactory filling of molds or containers having a limited volumetric or holding capacity, as such are generally employed for lipsticks, plugs, cosmetic pencils, sticks and the like.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus which together with a dosing apparatus renders possible automatic filling of milds or receptacles as well as the sealing and finishing of the relevant receptacles.

Another important object of the present invention is the provision of an improved apparatus for the production of cosmetic articles, particularly lipsticks, in an efficient, economical and hygenic manner.

A further object of this invention is to provide im proved apparatus for the production of articles from a molten mass including an improved dosing service for the quantitative dosing of such molten mass into receiving molds.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved dosing apparatus for the selective dosing of'a liowable mass including means for quickly and easily regulating the dosed quantity.

Generally speaking, the inventive apparatus for the production of cosmetic articles, and in particular lipsticks, comprises support means for releasably carrying a number of molds, containers, casings or the like which are to be filled with the molten or flowablemass and forr transporting such rnolds or otherwise to a number of different processing stations. At one such station there is provided a pouring device adapted to fill each mold with la specified quantity of molten mass. After the molds have been properly lled they are transported to the next station where there is located a cooling device for solidifying the molten mass, whereupon themolds are conveyed to a further station at which a closure device is arranged for applying `a sealing or closure member to the infeed opening of each mold.

More specifically, the inventive apparatus or device for the dosing and pouring of cosmetic articles, particularly lipsticks, comprises a container for the receipt and confining of the molten mass which communicates via a scalable opening with at least one discharge means. Between the discharge means and the container Ithere is arranged a dosing cylinder which is operativelyconnected via a respective opening with the container and the delivery means, and wherein with each such opening there cooperates a sealing member. Both of the sealing members are actuatable via a common drive means such that, when the one opening is rendered unobstructed the other opening is closed.

In a preferred and advantageous constructional manifestation of this dosing apparatus, at least one of the two sealing members comprises a small piston which is operatively connected with a support rod or spindle having associated therewith adjusting means. More specifically, the small piston is preferably carried by a spindle or rod having a threaded portion in order to change the degree of entry of the small piston into the aforesaid dosing cylinder, to thereby vary, from situation to situationencountered, the quantity of molten mass which is colleCted in this cylinder. In order to facilitate outflow of the dosed mass, the dosing cylinder is connected at its lower opening to the delivery means advantageously comprising a second container provided with at least one delivery nozzle and at least one opening venting to atmosphere.

Still further objects and the entire scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter; it should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by -Way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the ait from this detailed description.

1n the drawing:

The 4sale figure schematically illustrates a vertical sectional view through the dosing apparatus of the present invention as well as illustrating a portion of the apparatus for producing cosmetic articles.

Referring now to the drawingy it is to :be Iappreciated that the apparatus illustrated therein is suitable for the production and filling in an automatic manner of casings or containers formed of a suitable material, such casings providing the pouring mold as well as the protective container for the relevant article to be produced, for example a cosmetic lipstick. The illustrated apparatus is particularly adapted for filling casings or cartridges of the type depicted land described in my co-pending United States application Ser. No. 285,459, filed lune 3, 1963, for Method And Apparatus For The Production Of Cosmetic Sticks, Particularly Lipsticks, And Cosmetic Article Produced According To Such Method. However, the herein described apparatus can also be equally well employed in other situations as has previously Ibeen considered.

With particular reference now to the figure, it is to be recognized that the dosing device or apparatus A ispro vided with a storage vessel or container 10 for receiving the fluid or molten mass to be poured. The container 10 is further provided with a water bath-container 12 equipped with ya suitable heating mechanism 14 for achieving the required viscosity of the aforesaid molten mass. If the situation requires, the molten mass can advantageously be stirred through the agency of a suitably driven mixer or stirrer element 16. A small hollow, open-ended cylinder 20, possessing a desired holding capacity for receipt of the molten mass from container 10, is secured at one end 20a through an opening or aperture 10a to the floor 10b of the container 10. The small cylinder 20 defining a dosing cylinder extends downwardly and is provided at its lower end Zlib with an enlarged threaded rim or ring portion 22 which is secured to or rests against the underface of the water bath-container 12.

A piston member 24 is disposed to travel internally of the hollow dosing cylinder 20 in tight sealing relation der 20 by means of a pin 2o carried by the piston member 24 is advantageously mounted to be nonrotatable, but axially displaceable relative to the aforesaid dosing cylinder by means of a pin 26 carried by the piston member 24 and riding in av longitudinal groove 25a formed -at the inner Wall 20c of such cylinder, as sho-Wn. A rod or spindle 3i) having a threaded end portion 28 displaceably carries at such threaded end portion the piston member 24, such rod being movable t-o a greater or lesser extent, as desired, into the opening 34 provided at the lower end 20]; of the dosing cylinder 2o. Additionally, a further piston member 32 is xedly carried on the threaded rod or spindle 30 at a suitable distance from the other piston member 24, in the manner shown in the ligure. The two piston members 24 and 32 provide sealing means for the opposed open ends of the dosing cylinder 20. The spacing between these two piston members 24, 32 can be varied, as will be shortly explained, so that the piston member 32 can enter the dosing cylinder 20 `at an adjustable distance, whereby the volume of such dosing cylinder and therewith the dosed quantity can be varied.

It will be appreciated that the two piston members 24 and 32 are so constructed and arranged that they work in opposed sealing relation with respect to the dosing cylinder 20, that is, when the Ipiston member 24 moves out of the upper end of the cylinder 20 then the piston member 32 moves into and seals the lower end of such cylinder, and vice versa. Consistent with the foregoing explanation it will be seen that, when the piston member 24 moves out of the dosing cylinder 2t) and the piston member 32 moves into such cylinder then a predeterH mined quantity of molten mass can ow from the storage container into the dosing cylinder 26. Likewise, when the piston member 32 subsequently moves out of the dosing cylinder and the piston member '24 then reenters such cylinder the dosed mass can freely flow out of lsuch dosing cylinder. By adjusting the degree of entry of the piston member 32 into the dosing cylinder 20, Iand therewith the spacing between the piston members 24, 32, it is possible to control the quantity of molten mass received in the aforesaid dosing cylinder.

A second container 36 is threadably attached onto the threaded rim portion 22 of the dosing cylinder 20, theV interior of which container forms an emptying chamber -for the dosing cylinder 20. Advantageously, the cont-ainer 36 is provided at its upper end with one or more openings 38 venting to atmosphere, to enhance outflow of the molten mass from this container 36. The holding or volumetric capacity of the emptying chamber of container 36 is advantageously larger than that of the dosing cylinder 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the container 36 is obturated at its lower end by means of an end cap 40 provided to one side with at least one discharge nozzle or spout 42 ywhich communicates with the bottom of this container 36, said container and nozzle providing discharge means for the molten mass.

The threaded rod or spindle 30 piercingly extends through the end cap 40 and through Ia packing sleeve or gland 44. The end 30a of the rod 30 extending externally of the end cap 40 is provided at a suit-able location with two collar rings 46 or the like, between which engages the ends of a bifurcated or fork member 48. The fork member 48 is carried by an angle lever 50 adapted to be alternatingly and intermittently actuated by a suitable drive (not shown). At the lower end of the rod 30 there is arranged a Vknurled actuating knob 52 which can be actuated such that the piston member 32 is displaced to a lesser or greater extent into the dosing cylinder 20. It should be recognized that if the actuating knob 52 is suitably rotated, then the threaded portion 28 of the spindle member 30 travels axially of the dosing cylinder 20, in one or the other direction thereof depending upon the rotational sense of the spindle member, so that the degree of entry of the piston member 32, governing the permissible dosed mass, into the dosing cylinder 20 is thereby regulated. In order to ensure that the angle lever 5t) retains a desired position irrespective of the degree of rotation of the spindle member '30, the two collar rings 46 can advantageously be mounted to be axially positiona'ble along the spindle member.

The heretofore described apparatus containing the aforedescribed dosing device A is provided with a transport or support device or means B for supporting and conveying the molding forms or casings C, as the case may be, Iadapted to receive the dosed molten mass. The support device B comprises a plate member 56 provided with a suitable number of openings into which the molds or casings C are inserted. Since, in the present case, the apparatus is shown and described for the production of lipsticks these openings then receive lipstick casings, for example of the type described in my aforementioned copending application, although, as the case may be, other holders may be provided which exhibit at their bottom end, in the normal position of use, bores provided with a casing or capsule and, in this manner, form the mold for the molten mass to be poured. It is therefore to be understood and appreciated that the term mold as employed herein is used in a broad sense to define any body, casing, holder or otherwise into which the -molten mass is poured.

The plate member 56 is secured to a frame 58 provided at its bottom or lower portion with a toothed rack 60 travelling upon guides `62 which extend along a suitable path of travel. A locking pawl or ratchet 64 cooperates with the toothed rack 60- of each frame 58, said pawl being carried by the other arm 50a of the angle lever A50, whereby this lever is actuated through the intermediary of a connecting rod 66 and a suitable transmission (not shown) which intermittently or in stepwise manner actuates such angle lever 50 and pawl 64.

The guide means 62 extend past additional stations for further processing the lled molds C, in this case filled lipstick casings, as for example a cooling compartment D having tube members 90, 91 thereat for circulating a suitable coolant. Advantageously, the frame means 58 carrying the filled molds or casings C, are conducted through the cooling compartment D in order to solidify or congeal the molten mass. y

Further, with the illustrated embodiment, a suitable closure station -or device may be arranged downstream with respect to the direction of travel of the filled forms C, beneath which the later pass for closing the infeed openings of the aforesaid molds C.

The mode of operation of the heretofore described apparatus and the dosing device A is as follows: The periodic and intermittent actuation of the angle lever 50 initially upwardly displaces the -r-od -or spindle 30 such that the sealing piston member 32 extends into the lower end of the dosing cylinder 20, whereas the other sealing piston member 24 is raised out of this dosing cylinder. A portion of the molten mass confined in the container 10 ilows into the dosing cylinder 20 under the inuence of its -own weight, the volumetric capacity of such dosing cylinder being determined by the degree of entry of thee piston member 32 into the dosing cylinder 20. Thereafter, the angle lever 50 is again actuated with a jerking movement in order to downwardly move the rod 30. Consequently, the piston member 24 is tted into the dosing cylinder 20 and interrupts communication of the container 10 with the dosing cylinder 20, whereas the removal of the piston member 32 from the interior of the dosing cylinder 20 permits discharge or outflow of the molten mass, such discharge being enhanced by the introduction of the piston member 24 int-o the dosing cylinder 20.

The dosed quantity of molten or fluent mass is collected in the discharge container 36 and is then subsequently discharged via the discharge nozzle or spout 42 into the mold C or the like situated in registry with such discharge nozzle. If the langle lever 50 is actuated in order to again raise the rod 30, then vthe pawl 64 at the end of the connecting rod -66 becomes operative in order to advance the frame means 58 a step further forward, so that such frame means can place a new, empty form or mold beneath the mouth of the discharge nozzle 42. The new, empty mold will then 'be filled in the same manner as has just been described.

After filling each of the molds C, such are transported to the cooling device D and upon leaving the latter these molds are fitted with la suitable cover or st-opper. Since the described molds C are lipstick casings, the further processing thereof takes place in the usual manner, as is well known to the art.

In order to change the quantity of molten mass receivable in the dosing cylinder 2t), the actuating knob controlling the depth of entry of the sealing piston 32 into its associated dosing cylinder is operated in the manner aforedescribed. The adjustment of the holding or volumetric capacity of the dosing cylinder 20 can also be achieved by suitably changing the stroke of the rod 3l).

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood -thatithe invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the present invention, 'what is desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent, is:

1. Apparatus for the handling of molds for receiving a molten mass, particularly for the production of cosmetio Karticles and the like7 comprising support means for carrying the molds to be filled with the molten mass, guide means for displa-ceably guiding said support means past individual treating stations in a predetermined path of travel, a dosing device for filling each of the molds with a dosed quantity of molten mass, a cooling device for solidifying the molten mass contained in the molds, said pouring device and cooling device being successively arranged along said predetermined path of travel for the molds, said dosing device including a hollow, open-ended dosing cylinder provided with a first opening at one end thereof for the infeed of molten mass and a second opening at the other end thereof for the outfeed of the molten mass, a respective sealing member cooperating with each first and second opening mounted to enter its associated opening and operating in opposed sealing relation whereby when one of the aforementioned openings is closed the other is rendered unobstructed, means for mounting both of said sealing members for relative displacement to selectively vary the distance between said sealing members in order to control the degree of penetration of the associated sealing member into said second opening for the outfeed of the molten mass, to thereby control the amount of molten mass which can fill said dosing cylinder through selective regulation of its volume, and common actuating means for actuating 'both of said sealing members.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein means are provided which cooperate with said support means for displacing the latter together with the molds along said predetermined path of travel, said displacing means being yactuable in conjunction with operation of the dosing device.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said support means are provided at their underface with a toothed rack, said displacing means including a pawl member engaging with said toothed rack operating in synchronism with said actuating means for said sealing members of said dosing device.

4. Apparatus for the handling of molds for receiving a molten mass, particularly for the production of cosmetio articles and the like, comprising support means for carrying the molds to be filled with the molten mass, guide means for displaceably guiding said support means through a predetermined path of travel, a dosing device for filling each of the molds with a dosed quantity of molten mass, a cooling device for solidifying the m-olten mass contained in the molds, said pouring device and cooling device being successively arranged along said predetermined path of travel for the molds, said dosing device comprising a container yfor confining a molten mass, discharge means for receiving a dosed quantity of molten mass supplied from said container,

a dosing mechanism disposed between said container andsaid discharge means for regulating the quantity of molten mass receivable from said container, said dosing mechanism being provided with a first opening communieating said container with said dosing mechanism and a second opening communicating said dosing mechanism with said discharge means, said dosing mechanism including a respective sealing `mernber cooperating with each first and second opening mounted to piercingly enter its associated opening and operating in opposed sealing relation whereby when one of the aforementioned openings is closed the other is rendered unobstructed,

means for supporting both of said sealing members for relative displacement with respect to one another to selectively vary the spacing between said sealing members in order to control the degree of penetration of the assoelated sealing member into said second opening, to there by control the amount of molten mass which can fill said dosing mechanism through selective regulation of its volu-l metric capacity, and `actuating means for actuating both of said sealing members.

5. Apparatus for pouring cosmetic articles, particularly lipsticks, comprising a container for confining a molten mass, discharge means for receiving a dosed quantity of molten mass suppiied from said container, a dosing mechanism disposed between said container and said' discharge means for regulating the quantity of molten.

mass receivable from said container, said dosing mechanism being provided with a first opening communicating said container with said dosing mechanism and a second opening communicating said dosing mechanism with said discharge means, said dosing mechanism including a respective sealing member cooperating with each first and second opening mounted to piercingly enter its associated opening and operating in opposed sealing relation whereby when one of the aforementioned openings is closed the other is rendered unobstructed, means for mounting both of said sealing members for relative displacement with respect to one another to selectively vary the spacing between said sealing members in order to control the degree of penetration of the associated sealing member into said second opening, to thereby control the amount of molten mass which can fill said dosing mechanism through selective regulation of its volumetric capacity, said mounting means including a displaceable rod member for interconnecting said sealing members, and common actuating means for actuating both of said sealing members.

6. Apparatus for pouring cosmetic articles according to claim 5 wherein said dosing mechanism comprises a dosing cylinder, at least one of said sealing members being an adjustable piston operably connected with said displaceable rod member, said mounting means regulating the degree of entry of said adjustable piston through said second opening into said dosing cylinder to control the desired dosed quantity of molten mass receivable in said dosing cylinder.

7. Apparatus for pouring cosmetic articles according to claim 5 wherein said displaceahle rod member is provided with a threaded portion cooperating with one of said sealing members, said one sealing member being mounted to be non-rotatable with respect to said threaded portion but axially slidable together with said displaceable rod member, collar means carried 'by said displaceable rod member remote from said threaded portion, said actuating means including a fork member engaging with said collar means and lever means supporting said fork member.

8. Apparatus for pouring cosmetic `articles according to claim wherein said discharge means comprises a collecting container associated with the lower end of said dosing mechanism and at least one discharge noz'zle for the dosed molten mass arranged at the lower end of said collecting container, said collecting container being provided with at least one opening venting to atmosphere.

9. Dosing apparatus for pouring cosmetic articles from a molten mass, particularly lipsticks, comprising a dosing mechanism including a hollow, open-ended dosing cylinder provided with a first opening at one end thereof for the infeed of molten mass and a second opening at the other end thereof for the outfeed of the molten mass, a respective sealing member, cooperating with each rst and second opening mounted to enter its associated open ing and `operating in opposed sealing relation whereby when `one -of the aforementioned openings is closed the other is rendered unobstructed, means for mounting both of said sealing members for relative displacement with respect to one another to selectively vary the distance between said sealing members in order to control the degree of penetration of the associated sealing member into said second opening for the outfeed of the molten mass, to thereby control the amount of molten mass which can ll said dosing cylinder through selective regulation of its volume, and common actuating means for actuating both of said sealing members.

10. Dosing apparatus for pouring cosmetic articles from a molten mass, particularly lipsticks, comprising a d-osing mechanism including a hollow, open-ended, dosing cylinder provided with a rst opening at one end thereof for the infeed of molten mass and a second opening at the Iother end thereof for the outfeed of the molten mass, a respective sealing piston member cooperating with each first and second opening mounted to enter its associated opening and operating in opposed sealing relation, an axially displaceable and rotatable rod member having a threaded portion interconnecting said sealing piston members in spaced relation from one another s-o that 'when one of the aforementioned openings is closed lthe other is open, at least the one sealing piston member cooperating with said infeed opening being carried Iby said threaded portion, means cooperating with said one sealing piston member carried by said threaded portion and said dosing cylinder to prevent rotation of the last-mentioned sealing piston member relative to said dosing cylinder while permitting axial sliding movement thereof in said dosing cylinder, means for rotating said rod member to adjust the spacing between said sealing piston members and therewith the degree of entry of the other sealing piston member into the dosing cylinder to regulate the quantity of molten mass receivable in the dosing' cylinder, and means for axially displacing both of said sealing piston members.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,064,150 6/1913 McDaniel et al 222-439 1,069,017 7/'1913 Lassen 222-439 1,164,775 2/1916 Cornwall 53-309 XR 2,646,912 7/ 1953 -Reven-o 53-3`7 2,714,980 8/1955 Schlayer et al. 53-309 2,820,579 1/1958 Roth 22--440 2,969,632 l/196l Carew et al. 53--283 3,101,159 8/1963 Fletcher 222-439 XR 3,124,913 3/1964 Arcudi et al 53-127 XR GRANVILLE Y. CUSTER, IR., Primary Examiner 

1. APPARATUS FOR THE HANDLING OF MOLDS FOR RECEIVING A MOLTEN MASS, PARTICULARLY FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COSMETIC ARTICLES AND THE LIKE, COMPRISING SUPPORT MEANS FOR CARRYING THE MOLDS TO BE FILLED WITH THE MOLTEN MASS, GUIDE MEANS FOR DISPLACEABLY GUIDING SAID SUPPORT MEANS PAST INDIVIDUAL TREATING STATIONS IN A PREDETERMINED PATH OF TRAVEL, A DOSING DEVICE FOR FILLING EACH OF THE MOLDS WITH A DOSED QUANTITY OF MOLTEN MASS, A COOLING DEVICE FOR SOLIDIFYING THE MOLTEN MASS CONTAINED IN THE MOLDS, SAID POURING DEVICE AND COOLING DEVICE BEING SUCCESSIVELY ARRANGED ALONG SAID PREDETERMINED PATH OF TRAVEL FOR THE MOLDS, SAID DOSING DEVICE INCLUDING A HOLLOW, OPEN-END DOSING CYLINDER PROVIDED WITH A FIRST OPENING AT ONE END THEREOF FOR THE INFEED OF MOLTEN MASS AND A SECOND OPENING AT THE OTHER END THEREOF FOR THE OUTFEED OF THE MOLTEN MASS, A RESPECTIVE SEALING MEMBER COOPERATING WITH EACH FIRST AND SECOND OPENING MOUNTED TO ENTER ITS ASSOCIATED OPENING AND OPERATING IN OPPOSED SEALING RELATION WHEREBY WHEN ONE OF THE AFOREMENTIONED OPENINGS IS CLOSED 